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Before I turn in, here's one I meant to ask you about.
You gave your interpretation on John 20:21-23. and paralleled it with Matthew 16:19.
Here's how it went.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.,
You interpreted this passage of scripture as the following;
( We, the church, have the right to forgive or retain the sins of people, only that it has to be done according to God's will.)
Giannis we don't have "The right " to forgive or retain the sins of people!
I believe as ambassadors for Christ We have the Gospel to present to the lost sinner. If you win a soul by way of the Gospel, you have loosed on earth that is already loosed in Heaven.
Only Christ can forgive sins.
God bless and Goodnight.
I have gotten some negative commentary here on the concept of false peace; but as always I am quoting scripture. Peace is to be taken from the earth in the 2nd seal; that could be from the false peace of the first seal; but also it would seem when these conflagrations end there has to be a time for unwalled villages in Israel; and economic worldwide development for things to get to the point of the Daniel 9:27 covenant. With everyione on high alert with the current situation it is likely different than the rapture time frame when it comes at a time we do not expect; with buying; selling; marriage; etc. The Ezekiel 38 war is for a spoil; which certainly could imply the rich oil; gas and other resources there now which the current war has no plans to conquer; and again in that war the nations themselves and their armies fight; rather than proxy wars such as we see at present. The Antichrist has a systematic 10 nation or world region rulership; therefore sovereign power is involved with worldwide conquest.
It is possible the second seal is more like we are seeing now but on a worldwide scale; such as what may be planned at present but since we are still in the church age it no doubt will be muted somewhat. By the trumpet judgments of course we see the armies being mustered; the Euphrates dried up (which has happened somewhat but not finalized until the specific demons are relaased). It ends in Armageddon but just before that the Jews finally recognize their Messiah as Zechariah indicates.
Yes being right with God and trusting Him to give Him glory in our death is a priority. Will keep you in prayer.
May the spirit of truth CAUSE YOU to understand.
The DAY of the Lord has been on earth for about 2000 years NOW, the angels have been harvesting the SEED for about 2000.
That harvested SEED is in the 1000 year NOW, some SEED have been there NOW for about 2000 years, some were harvested TODAY, that's less than a 1000 years.
The 1000 years, in God's eyes is ONE DAY, TODAY, the Day of the Lord, you are birthed into the IMAGE OF CHRIST.
In the twinkling of an eye you are HARVESTED and PUT ON CHRIST, whether it was 2000 years ago are today, it's both the same to God.
God BLESS YOU!
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Pls pray for me, for peace of mind, peace in work and in my family, To pass my board exam for teacher and Civil service exam,
Part 2.
As I said "Christ is truth and by faith we believe him! Why? Because the Holyspirit testifies of him!
Is faith 'not" a gift of God? Yes it is.
Is it not caused by the Holyspirit?
Yes, it is persuasion.
It's NOT man's faith we're discussing here but Christ faith.
For example;
Take 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 and harmonize it with your meaning of faith and you will see "IF" it directly means belief then it doesn't change anything according to the context we're debating.
That what you believe in has to be given for us to have faith and trust in God!
Vs 9) But as it is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Vs 10) But GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.)
"That's Persuasion! (9 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: ) [ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1]
IF YOU TRANSLATED THAT TO BELIEF, IT STILL NOT OF YOURSELF!
Vs 11. For WHAT MAN KNOWETH THE THINGS OF A MAN, SAVE THE SPIRIT OF MAN WHICH IS IN HIM? EVEN SO THE THINGS OF GOD KNOWETH NO MAN, BUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
There's your source of belief/faith/Persuasion Giannis.
Vs 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; THAT WE MIGHT KNOW THE THINGS THAT ARE FREELY GIVEN TO US OF GOD.
Vs 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Where is the energy behind your faith? or belief?
God bless.
Amen! Jesus, in speaking about our service ( Matthew 6:24) said that we cannot serve two masters. The word "cannot" in the Greek text literally means that we do not have the capacity. We have not been created with the capacity to serve more than one master. It's impossible!
Thank you for sharing these quotes, one from William Law, and I am guessing the other quote is from Vance Havner? What he seems to be describing is a person who calls Jesus their Savior without fully surrendering their life to Him.
Now, William Law makes an interesting statement, "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead." Very true. A life without Christ is pointless!
Blessings to you also!
Part 1.
Thanks for your internet research Giannis but there were those back in Jesus day that spoke Greek that may not have understood it as well.
Speaking Greek doesn't give us a lock on scripture.
However I didn't need a Greek translation to come to any conclusion of where "Christ"faith comes from.
If wanted to see how it's used in a passage I use the scripture as a whole and look for consistency.
I also coordinate that with the strongs and try using that same consistency with the definition presented.
Greek:
Transliteration: pistis
Pronunciation: pis'-tis
Definition: From G3982; persuasion that is credence; moral conviction (of religious truth or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher) especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance belief believe faith fidelity.
I quoted Paul in Romans "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
I was stating that that is a hard sin to escape if one says we can live a life without sin.
I'm a bit confused where you came on at this point, however I will address my take on faith and where I disagree with you.
The source of this faith or the source of this belief "If you want to call it that. It's still a fruit and it's from God.
As branches do, we bare the fruit!
We don't produce it!
It is Christ faith IN us.
Faith is a fruit, belief is not.
Christ is TRUTH! By faith we believe him! Why? Because the Holyspirit testifies of him! THIS IS PERSUASION.
However, every belief is not energized by God. Man's belief/faith takes "showing" Sight ect..
God given faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This is faith in a person! "Our Lord Jesus Christ. .
See Part 2.
I understand where you are coming from. But for me, I think it is wise to make some preparations to go some time without necessities because we can be here and available to those who are seeing people all around them in harm's way and may need our counsel concerning salvation in Christ. I have lived my life and, at 66, I don't hold on to life as one would who is younger. But my sons are not saved and I want to be here to minister to them through tough situations helping them to see their need for a Savior in Christ.
I do not suggest stockpiling to "ride this thing out" but to be able to survive as God wills to help others. I see nothing in this approach that is ungodly or not of faith. Everyone will do as they feel led to do. I don't want "out of this world" to avoid hardship, but to be "in it"-not "of it", as Jesus prayed for His disciples at the last Supper, to be a witness for Him and helpful to those who need Him.
As humans who are corrupted by our sinful nature, we just do not realize the severity and eternal measure of the offense of just one sin because we cannot fathom the infinite, pure, and moral righteousness of God's holiness. He made mankind to live eternally either with Him in blessedness or in the lake of fire with torment and anguish. Just because man's sin brings God's wrath does not move Hm to change His eternal plan for creating man, which was not to just have him live for this life and die and be no more, regardless of whether one is a believer or not. He made mankind to have this life to determine the life one would have in eternity. That has always been the plan. Death as a result of sin does not change that purpose. It is easier to think of unbelievers just ceasing to exist when they die (annihilation) but then their suffering would end at death and even believers suffer much before dying. How can annhilation be just? But we have difficulty believing that our unsaved loved ones will suffer even more so forever than they may suffer in this life. But that is why God said that "Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your heart. Today is the day of salvation." So, let us pray for others to be saved today and speak to those who are unsaved about Jesus today.
It is rare for me to send out such an alarming report, but what is happening in Israel is REALLY BIG and those who want to eliminate Israel and the Jews also hate the U.S. and those who ally with us. It is hard to know what may transpire, but God knows. If this is truly a plan of the terrorists, then I am thankful that God allowed for a "heads up" for us.
Will be heading out to the store in a few minutes so, Giannis, I wish you safety and blessings in the next 24 hours.
How apropos to this current time for us to consider how God is Just and acknowledge that He is the Sovereign Judge of all people.
.God always acts in perfect justice. All of His ways are in line with His just character ( Gen. 18:25; 2 Chr. 12:6; Deut.32:4; Jn.:5:3). He never does anything that we could judge Him as doing wrong. But He is the righteous judge of us all ( 1Pe. 1:17; Ps. 7:11; 9:5; 75:2;). Because God is just, he will pay back to all what each deserve, rest for those who are in Christ and the lake of fire for those who are not in Him ) 1 Th. 1:6) He will forgive our sins, which comes from his justice as much as from His love ( 1 Jn. 1:9)
All of God's judgements are righteous and just ( Rev. 15:3; 16:5, 7; 19:2) We can commit ourselves to Him who judges justly ( 1 Pe. 2:23). He is justified whenever He judges ( Ps. 51:4) and will give final judgment on the living and the dead at His second coming ( Rev. 11:18; 20:12; Dt. 32:36; Ps. 96:13; 110:6). His judgments are true and glorify Him.
We know that we are judged to be righteous due to Jesus' righteousness being put to our account and completely removing our sins. But we also know that we are judged to be holy and righteous because Jesus took all of the just wrath of God for our sins upon Himself. He suffered our punishment, our hell, and our separation from God in His sacrificial death. Those who are not in Christ are still in their sins and should they die unsaved, will receive in full the eternal punishment, hell, and separation from God that our sinfulness justly deserves. Some have a hard time with the eternity of punishment for the wicked. But if it is just for the saved to receive salvation for eternity, then it is equally just (and necessary for it to be true justice) for those who die in their sins to be punished forever in the Lake of Fire with the devil and his angels. One sin earns a person this judgment.
There is nothing like that (an international jihad day) on the news here, and we are very close to Israel. Definitely a new age in the Middle East (and consequently in the whole world) begins with the slaughter of the Israeli civilians. It is really sad how satan has put so much hate inside people's heart. The Jews and the Arabs are really brother nations speaking similar languages (Elohim vs Allah). The events of the last times are unfolding in front of our eyes. There has been a message from God, the same during the last 2-3 years, "Dark clouds are coming to earth, but my people do not fear, I am protecting you, you will see the plagues of Egypt occuring to people but nothing will touch you." Lets be awake and in prayers. Lets keep the light on in our lamps and be ready to receive the coming Lord. Blessings to all.
What is occurring in Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon is of great concern. It has the very real potential to becoming a war that involves so many other countries. Israel is defending itself from attack by those who live along their borders who have repeatedly month upon month sent bombs and missiles into Israel.
I heard today that tomorrow has been called to be an international day of Jihad. So, I think it is wise for people all over the world to prepare themselves for what may happen close to them and even to themselves. How important is it to encourage others to be right with God through Christ for tomorrow one may be killed. Also, it is important to be sure to have needed things to survive attacks in our own communities, but also around our country and world that will impact daily living. Perhaps today is a day to stock up on batteries, water, and propane fuel and canned food or other emergency food supplies, medicine, etc.
I hope that there will not be attacks tomorrow, but I do not think that those who have called for this Jihad are kidding or posturing.
We should be praying for God's intervention and help for all who are in danger. And also, we may be without technology for a time, so we will not be checking in here until technology services can be re-constructed. So, for everyone here, I say, God bless you today, tomorrow and always.
Heavenly Father, we come to You today in the name of Jesus and prepare our hearts for what may happen tomorrow. We ask that You intervene and cause the evil plans of those who wish to do acts of Jihad to fail. We ask that You protect those who are Yours and those we love who do not know You yet. may they be brought to faith in this time of threat and crisis. Guide Israel in this war so that Your justice will prevail. Keep us strong and courageous and confident in what You have given us in Christ Jesus. amen.
It costs something to be a disciple of Christ. To live for Christ is to let go of all our possessions, pick up our cross, and follow Him. We no longer live for ourselves, we live for the King. If Jesus can die on the cross for our sins, the least we can do if give him our life and proclaim the gospel to the whole world. "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead. By: William Law
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:26
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 16:24-25
"We have suffered from the preaching of cheap grace. Grace is free, but it is not cheap. People will take anything that is free, but they are not interested in discipleship. They will take Christ as Savior but not as Lord." By: Vance Havne
Jesse, Jesus tells us that its impossible to live a worldly life, and still follow him!
GBU
You are saying"a thousand years is symbolic" by ignorance,Peter Apostle previously warned to be not ignorant as you manifest yourself be. To speak of the Word of GOD -the Word is GOD - , first of all it is necessary to have the Spirit of GOD, understand? The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of GOD, neither CAN HE KNOW THEM,because they are spiritually discerned.
You said"one day could also be as a million years",but according to the Word of GOD what you said it is FAKE,a misleading interpretation contradicting what the Holy Spirit said by Peter Apostole- 2Peter 3:8, and also contradicting what Moses said in his pray to the Lord GOD- Psalm 90:4- ,saying:"a THOUSAND YEARS in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past".Yeah, the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD:neither can he know them,because they are spiritually discerned.
Your thinking is from a human perspective,a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective.Your interpretation and misleading message is similar or even the same as Genesis 3:1,and is good for nothing,if not for it exclusively be burned with everlasting fire.
The kingdoms of THIS CURRENT DEVIL' s WORLD are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, - Revelation 11:15- , and the dragon, that old serpent,which is the Devil and Satan,he will be chained,and will be cast down,even in this current millennium,into the bottomless pit for a thousand years,that he should deceive the nations no more,till the thousand years should be fulfilled.
I saw thrones,and Judgment was given unto them that were sat upon the thrones:I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of JESUS,and for the Word of GOD,and they will live and reign with Christ a THOUSAND YEARS.The rest of the dead will not live again until the thousand years be finished.And when the thousand years expire,Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.
"And theLordset a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him./And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden." (vv.15-16)
First we shall take up the significance of the mark that God had set upon him. God is a Spirit whose mark cannot go against his holiness. Of his perfection Jesus had thus to say, "For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."(Matt.5:45) Here we are on sure ground to say that we see the Spirit of grace is in operation. Just as He called out Adam and created him in his own image so he is a double for his Son, he set the mark to remind of the Son whom He shall send in fullness of time. As the Word become flesh there could only be one mark that fits here.
As the son of perdition is marked 666 God set 12 as the mark of Cain. By the same rationale we have this verse in connection with Noah again another double for his Son, "And theLordsaid, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."(Ge.6:3) Life of man is formally established in terms of the Gospel of God so this number appeared frequently. We have 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples.(Matt.10:1)
After his Ascension the eleven disciples cast lots for tha apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot. Here also the Spirit meticulously gives us the number 120 who gathered in the upper room. (Ac.1:15) The Spirit uses the number 12 to signal the rounding off the body of Christ and he employs the Min-Max mode of narrative. Thus the city of New Jerusalem coming down from heaven is in multiples of 12. "Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife./And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending..." (Re.21:9-10)
Does knowledge of the mark add to our spiritual growth? I think not.
Notice the word 'again used by the writer to the Hebrews. He is clearly referring to Haggai. "Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." In the second instance while we speak of God shaking the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land let us not forget Jesus has gone up to heaven even as Moses did. What things that cannot be shaken may remain is what is founded on the foundation of the risen Christ, the Church. It is New Jerusalem and we are no longer considering the old but the new heaven and the new earth. What happens in Jerusalem of old is insignificant and sum total of it shall be nothing. Isaiah describes it as though God has dismissed it as a waste heap."And he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness."(Is.34:11b). "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."Ps.127:1-2)
God has put up a marker saying "This property is condemned." Notice the expression forever and ever in vv. 9-10? This is to be spiritually understood. The smell (or smoke) arising from the stench rises even to heaven. Cleansing of the world ushers a new heaven and new earth. Forever wherever used is in relation to the Son.
"And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch./It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever."
Time doesn't exist in God's realm, no beginning and no end.
One day is as a thousand years, that is symbolic, one day could also be as a million years.
It's just ONE DAY, TODAY.
Christ was resurrected and it became TODAY; the day of salvation, then, in our time frame, tomorrow, AGAIN, became TODAY the day of SALVATION, over and over for the last 2000 years, It's ALWAYS, TODAY the day of salvation, no beginning and no end.
Ephesians 3:21 ...... through out all AGES ......WORLD WITHOUT END ......
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, is that which SHALL BE; and that which is done is that which SHALL BE DONE, there is NO NEW THING under the sun.
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have BELIEVED do enter in to REST (the Sabbath) .....the WORKS were FINISHED from the foundation of the world.
TODAY, the DAY of SALVATION, world without end.
God BLESS YOU!
"Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth./ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;....Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth(Ps.46:8-10)". The earth abides forever since the fulness of God who lives in inapproachable light is shown in terms of knowledge. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."(Hab.2:14). This glory is what Zion signifies. Before the foundation of the world the Lord laid the foundation stone in Zion. (Is.28:16). In the Book of Proverbs it is described as the house which Wisdom has built. The seven days marking the Abstract in the ch.1 are the pillars. God laid it perfection and it shall be in his Son a city set on a hill, which as Jesus referred cannot be hid. Isaiah refers to this work in his Son, "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet:"(Is.28:17a)
Day of vengeance has a beginning. To this Jesus warned of, "All these are the beginning of sorrows."(Matt.24:8)Is.34 begins thus:"Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein"(v.1) Jesus explains these sorrows in a way we can well understand since we are in the middle of it. "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquake."